NAMES IN THE NEWS : Newman Firm Back in Court

Attorneys for actor Paul Newman began a second effort today to rebuff efforts by a Westport deli owner seeking a share of the celebrity’s multimillion-dollar charity food business.

Opening statements were scheduled today in Superior Court as the second trial got under way. A jury of four women and two men chosen earlier this month will decide the case.

Restaurateur Julius Gold claims in his civil lawsuit that he helped launch the charity foods business and accused Newman and his partners of reneging on verbal promises to share the profits from Newman’s Own Inc. products.

Newman’s attorneys said the actor plans to testify and be on hand for much of the proceedings as he did in the first trial that ended in a mistrial in July, 1988.

The company, which also sells popcorn, lemonade and spaghetti sauce, has donated more than $26 million to charity since it was founded in 1982.